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Vehicle steering column structure

a technology of steering column and release mechanism, which is applied in the direction of steering column, steering parts, vehicle components, etc., can solve the problems of uneasy driving of the steering column structure, and achieve the effect of consistent biasing for

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-08-10
NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a more consistent level of biasing force to a hand operated release mechanism to return it to a locked orientation. This ensures that a driver has a more consistent level of resistance to movement of the hand operated release mechanism during movement between a locked orientation and a release orientation. The invention includes a steering column structure with a fixed steering column portion, a movable steering column portion, and a steering column positioning mechanism. The steering column positioning mechanism includes a release member and a biasing member. The biasing member biases the release member to the locking orientation such that the biasing force of the biasing member changes with corresponding movement of the release member along the first movement portion and is generally constant with movement of the release member along the second movement portion. This ensures a more consistent level of biasing force for the hand operated release mechanism.

Problems solved by technology

If the biasing force applied to the telescoping mechanism and / or a tilting mechanism is not sufficient to urge the telescoping mechanism and / or a tilting mechanism back to the locking orientation or if not uniform throughout the movement of the hand operated release mechanism, the driver can feel uneasy about the operation of the steering column structure.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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second embodiment

[0093]Referring now to FIG. 21, a portion of a steering column structure 212 having a push rod 252 in accordance with a second embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and second embodiments, the parts of the second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0094]The steering column structure 212 of the second embodiment is identical in all ways to the steering column structure 12 of the first embodiment except that the push rod 52 of the first embodiment has been replaced with the push rod 252. The push rod 252 is identical to the push rod 52 of the first embodiment except that the contact section 54 has been replaced with contact section 254. The contact section 254 has an overall arc...

third embodiment

[0095]Referring now to FIG. 22, a portion of a steering column structure 312 having a push rod 352 in accordance with a third embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and third embodiments, the parts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0096]The steering column structure 312 of the third embodiment is identical in all ways to the steering column structure 12 of the first embodiment except that the push rod 52 of the first embodiment has been replaced with the push rod 352. The push rod 352 is identical to the push rod 52 of the first embodiment except that the contact section 54 has been replaced with contact section 354. The contact section 354 has an overall arcuate ...

fourth embodiment

[0097]Referring now to FIG. 23, a portion of a steering column structure 412 having a push rod 452 in accordance with a fourth embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and fourth embodiments, the parts of the fourth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the fourth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0098]The steering column structure 412 of the fourth embodiment is identical in all ways to the steering column structure 12 of the first embodiment except that the push rod 52 of the first embodiment has been replaced with the push rod 452. The push rod 452 is identical to the push rod 52 of the first embodiment except that the contact section 54 has been replaced with contact section 454. The contact section 454 extends in a direc...

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Abstract

A vehicle steering column structure includes a fixed steering column portion, a movable steering column portion movably coupled to the fixed steering column portion and a steering column positioning mechanism. The steering column positioning mechanism is operably coupled between the fixed and movable steering column portions for adjusting a relative position therebetween. The steering column positioning mechanism includes a release member and a biasing member. The biasing member biases the release member to a locking orientation such that the biasing force of the biasing member applied to the release member changes with corresponding movement of the release member along a first movement portion of a prescribed movement range and the biasing force of the biasing member is generally constant with movement of the release member along a second movement portion of the prescribed movement range.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to a hand operated release mechanism for a steering column with a tilting mechanism and / or a telescoping mechanism. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hand operated release mechanism that operates one or both of a tilting mechanism and a telescoping mechanism.[0003]2. Background Information[0004]A steering column structure in a vehicle is sometimes provided with one or both of a telescoping mechanism and / or a tilting mechanism that allows a driver to more comfortably position a steering wheel at a distal end of the steering column structure. Such steering column structures often include a manual or hand operated release mechanism that moves from a locking orientation to a releasing orientation. In the locking orientation, the telescoping mechanism and / or a tilting mechanism is locked in position. In the releasing orientation, the telescoping mechanism and / or a tilting mec...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B62D1/18
CPCB62D1/183B62D1/184
Inventor KUMAR, AMARENDRAHARADA, HIROTAKE
Owner NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
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